Band Origin: Finland
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Release Date: 2013
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
The Concept: A Return to the Cold Roots
Halo of Blood was praised for recapturing the “cold” atmosphere and dark melodies that had been less prominent in their mid-2000s output. Alexi Laiho famously noted that this album contained both the fastest and the slowest songs in the band’s history at that time.
Musical Characteristics:
The Neoclassical Return: Janne Wirman brought back keyboard tones reminiscent of the Follow the Reaper era, providing a majestic yet eerie layer to the tracks.
Black Metal Influence: Several songs feature a strong “blackened” influence through the use of blast beats and atmospheric riffs—something CoB hadn’t explored deeply since their debut, Something Wild.
Darker Melodies: Instead of “bright” power metal melodies, the album leans into somber, melancholic progressions typical of the Finnish metal sound.
Notable Tracks:
“Halo of Blood”
The title track is iconic for its intense use of blast beats. It is one of the most aggressive songs Alexi ever wrote, yet it remains incredibly hooky and memorable.
“Bodom Blue Moon”
This track brings back their classic songwriting structure: technical guitar riffs balanced with haunting keyboard harmonies that feel like a throwback to the late 90s.
“Dead Man’s Hand on You”
This is the “slowest” song Alexi referred to. A dark, atmospheric ballad that almost touches on Doom or Gothic Metal, providing a haunting breath of air in the middle of a high-speed album.
“Scream for Silence”
A perfect example of their melodic death metal mastery, featuring a soaring chorus and a very emotional lead guitar performance.
Reception and Legacy
Critical Acclaim: The album received a much warmer welcome from the metal community than its predecessor. Critics felt that CoB had finally “found themselves” again by balancing their technical skill with atmospheric depth.
Production: Produced by the legendary Peter Tägtgren (of Hypocrisy and PAIN), the sound is organic, sharp, and “icy,” avoiding the over-processed feel of some modern metal records.
The Artwork: The cover art, featuring the Reaper (Roy) on a frozen lake with a pale blue color palette, perfectly matched the “cold” Nordic sound of the music.
